Slott and Gage take us back to a time where a woman is in a health spa being sold a package that promises a complete makeover, and she takes the whole package. Then we jump to Avengers mansion present day and the woman has become some kind of a cybernetic creature. The cyborgs are attempting a revolution and a battle ensues. Tony warns Rhodey to not kill anyone since they are patients in need of a cure. This is an incredible issue that deals with some profound issues.
The Creative Team:
Slott and Gage work well together. This team has crafted an amazing story that deals with some profound issues. We have an attack on our heroes by mindless cybernetic beings. But these beings are human and not responsible for their own actions. Should we kill them or can we cure them? Separating them from their cybernetic selves is not going to be an easy task, which builds the tension. Who should play God? Can we bring the mindless ones to their senses before it’s too late? Although that gives us a lot to ponder yet the action doesn’t slow down as Tony and his amazing friends are trying to engage the enemy without hurting them since they’re not responsible for their actions. Great stuff includes Jarvis’s reaction to the battle and Rhodes defending his actions to the non-believers.
Francesco Manna gives us some really cool visuals in this tale of cybernetics gone wrong. The complex emotions of each character are etched into their faces. The weakness of Tony as he struggles with what he’s becoming, the determination of Rhoades as he feels the need to rid the earth of these cybernetic demons and the insanity of Pym as he is hell-bent on achieving his objectives at any cost. Highlights include the confrontation of Tony and Hank also the final splash and shock ending to this issue.
In Conclusion:
Marvel is a mixed bag nowadays some really bland storytelling with certain titles but also some really great storytelling reminiscent of the company in its heyday This is one of the best comics I’ve reviewed in a long time, one that shows why I was a Make Mine Marvel type of a guy in the first place. We have complex characters dealing with issues that have no easy answers. The type of thing that keeps us glued to each page. We have Tony, ever the hero, who is suffering from being fused to his armor but continues to soldier on despite the pain. Hank Pym has very little sanity left in him and has grown into a megalomaniac. Rhodes hates cyborgs to the point that he’s blinded to the possibility of saving any of them. Then, of course, there’s the uncertainty of what to do about Jarvis, can he be saved? Even characters who have very little page time here are complex and we can see the drives and motivations behind each of them. This story is complex and absorbs our attention because of that complexity and the final page makes us want that next issue right now! ****1/2 (9.4 rating)
SCORE: 4.5/5Â
Writer – Dan Slott, Christos Gage
Art – Francesco Manna
Colors – Edgar Oelgado
Letters – VC’s Joe Caramagna
Publisher – Marvel
Author Profile
- Kevin Given has studied with “ Longridge Writers Group †and “ Writer’s Boot Camp †a speech/communications major from the University of Maine Presque-Isle/Orono sites. He has created the “ Karl Vincent Vampire Hunter †franchise which includes novels and comic books. They can be found on amazon, Indyplanet and Kindle. For a limited time you can get digital copies of “ Karl Vincent: Vampire hunter †# 1 and “ Files of Karl Vincent †# 1 for free on Indyplanet. Kevin is producing the third novel in the series “ Dracula Rising †(working title) and developing “ Foul Blood †into comic book form. Don't forget to check out the YouTube show " Comics: Let's Talk " hosted by Kevin Given
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